Entomopathogenic fungi are naturally existing microbes, that can serve as a key regulator of insect pests in integrated pest management strategies. Besides having no hazardous effects on the environment, these entomopathogens are alternatives to synthetic insecticides that can control notorious insect-like Plutella xylostella, a destructive pest of cruciferous crops. Three different species of entomopathogenic fungi were evaluated before the selection (high larval mortality and least LC₅₀) of Metarhizum anisopliae. The study was designed to investigate the mortality, development, and immune responses of P. xylostella when challenged with M. anisopliae, a naturally existing soil-borne entomopathogenic fungus. M. anisopliae resulted in high pest mortality by killing 93% of larvae. However, no statistically significant effect on hemocyte concentration was observed. The activity of enzymes (Phenoloxidase and Superoxide dismutase) and immune genes (Defensin, Spaetzle, Cecropin, Lysozyme, and Hemolin) did vary at different time points (24, 48, 72 and 96 h) after exposure to M. anisopliae. Disturbance in the biological cycles of P. xylostella was also detected, significantly shorter adult life span (8.11:6.87, M:F) and reduced fecundity (101 eggs/female) were observed along with disturbed larval and pupal duration. Results suggest that M. anisopliae can efficiently hinder the P. xylostella defense and developmental system, resulting in mortality and disturbed demography.

中文翻译：

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小生化菌挑战小菜蛾的免疫力和人口统计学

病原性真菌是自然存在的微生物，可以在病虫害综合治理策略中作为害虫的关键调节剂。除了对环境没有危害外，这些昆虫病原菌还可以替代合成杀虫剂，这些合成杀虫剂可以控制臭名昭著的昆虫般的小菜蛾（Plutella xylostella），这是十字花科作物的破坏性害虫。昆虫病原真菌的三种不同种类的选择（高的幼虫死亡率和至少LC前进行了评价₅₀的）Metarhizum菌。该研究旨在探讨死亡率，发展和免疫应答小菜蛾时与挑战绿僵菌，一种自然存在的土传昆虫病原真菌。M. anisopliae通过杀死93％的幼虫而导致较高的害虫死亡率。然而，未观察到对血细胞浓度的统计学显着影响。酶的活性（酚和超氧化物歧化酶）和免疫基因（防御素，Spaetzle，天蚕素，溶菌酶，和Hemolin）做在暴露于后不同的时间点（24，48，72和96小时）而变化绿僵菌。还检测到小菜蛾生物周期的紊乱，观察到明显缩短的成年寿命（8.11：6.87，M：F）和繁殖力降低（101个卵/雌性）以及幼虫和p的持续时间受到干扰。结果表明，M。anisopliae可以有效地阻碍小菜蛾的防御和发育系统，导致死亡和人口统计学混乱。